Deandre Lawton was alone, driving a 2009 Ford Fusion borrowed from a roommate, when he crashed on North Benson Street in Fairfield, Conn., at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, Fairfield Police Deputy Chief Chris Lyddy said. He was to graduate from Fairfield University on Sunday.

At the base of a tree outside the entrance of Fairfield University in Connecticut, a pile of flowers has accumulated.

“RIP Deandre” is carved into the bark of the tree, with the symbol of Fairfield’s Omega Phi Kappa fraternity.

The tree has become a makeshift memorial for Deandre Lawton, 21, of Brockton, who died in a car crash one day before his college graduation.

Lawton was alone, driving a 2009 Ford Fusion borrowed from a roommate, when he crashed on North Benson Street in Fairfield, Conn., at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, Fairfield police Deputy Chief Chris Lyddy said.

Police said speed and alcohol use may have contributed to the fatal accident.

“We are still waiting for toxicology reports to come back, but there is reason to believe that he was intoxicated,” said Lyddy. “Very high speed is going to be a significant factor in this.”

The crash is still under investigation, and police have not determined exactly where Lawton was coming from before the crash, said Lyddy.

Lawton was in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and was to participate in Fairfield’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday. He was a member of the Omega Phi Kappa multicultural fraternity.

The fraternity posted a message on its Twitter page on Saturday: “All of us are distraught and in denial about our brother Deandre Lawton.”

The Fairfield University Student Association also posted on Twitter about the loss of their fellow student.

“Deandre you are in our prayers. Rest in peace, you touched so many on this campus with your smile and positive attitude,” the group said.

Lawton was a member of the Class of 2009 at Boston College High School, where he was an honors student, part of the diversity cabinet and a member of the swim team, said Jennifer Tegan, BC High spokeswoman.

“He was an all-around great kid with a lot of great friends who will be sadly missed,” said Tegan. “We are very saddened. He was a bright young man with a bright future.”

During a rainy graduation ceremony, Lawton’s classmates honored him with a moment a silence.

“The tragedy has shaken the entire community and all are profoundly saddened by the loss of a valued member of the Fairfield family. All in the Fairfield community are invited to pray for Deandre, his family and friends,” the school said in a press release.